National Standards discussion on National radio

This discussion was on National Radio on Monday. With Kathryn Ryan were Professor Robin Alexander of Cambridge University;
Professor Tom Nicholson of Massey University and Ray Newport of the School Trustees Association. It is a rigorous debate really as each person advocates their point of view.

National standards discussion

This is a worthwhile discussion, particularly from Robin Alexander who outlines the impact of national testing on UK schools (which is different to the National Standards). He advocates a broarder curriculum with greater recognition of oral language, thinking and problem solving and discusses the potential of narrowing curriculums to meet governmental directives to raise achievement in literacy and numeracy. UK achievement has been falling as a new generation of children are immersing into a teaching process that is narrow and specific by nature.

You can read the Cambridge report on my blog.

Cambridge report